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Kirkland wants new Wigan deal

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has set his sights on regaining a first-team place at the DW Stadium and he wants to sign a new contract.

Last Updated: 26/10/11 8:15am

Chris Kirkland: Hungry to put his injury problems in the past

Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has set his sights on regaining a first-team place at the DW Stadium and he wants to sign a new contract.

The injury-plagued one-time England international last week returned to his parent club after suffering a back problem after just one match of a loan spell at Doncaster.

Kirkland's latest fitness setback is the latest problem in a long line of injuries which have disrupted the 30-year-old's career.

But the former Coventry, Liverpool and West Brom player wants to agree a contract extension at Wigan, where he has been displaced by Ali Al Habsi, before his current deal runs out at the end of the season.

"First of all, I'd like to regain my place at Wigan and sign a new deal," he said in the Daily Mirror. "I understand that teams are going to be suspicious, but I hope somebody will take a chance like Paul Jewell did when I came here.

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"That paid off for him and the club and whoever takes me will get a player that is ready to shine again. They will get a player who is hungry to put this behind me, too.

"If there was no end in sight, I would be devastated, but I know I am nearly there. People only need to see me training to see that.

"Over the period I've been out of the team at Wigan, I have been fit. Last season, I only missed 14 training sessions. This season, I hadn't missed a single one until I got injured with Doncaster.

"People are going to laugh, but I am more happy with my body now than I ever have been. I know I'm nearly there.

"People will say, 'how can he say that after everything that has happened?', but I know I am getting there. I will get there."